Spawning Phase

Identification: The largest salmon specimens over 30 pounds are almost always this species. Upper back and all of caudal fin have irregular black spots. Gums black at base of teeth. In sea bluish or greenish blue to gray or black above; silvery below. Maturing specimens very dark; smaller males often dull yellow; larger males often blotchy, dull red on side. Females blackish. To 58 inches, usually 10-15 pounds, rarely over 50 pounds, one specimen from Alaska reportedly weighed 135 pounds. Range: Japan to Bering Sea and to San Diego. Rare in fresh water south of the Sacramento - San Joaquin River system.

They are prized by commercial, sport, and tribal fishermen alike. Chinook use a variety of freshwater habitats, but it is more common to see them spawn in larger mainstem rivers than other salmon species. 

              Spawning Phase

Identification: Fine specks on back, but no black spots. In sea metallic blue above; silvery below. Fins mostly dusky, edges of pelvic and anal fins usually pale in mature specimens. At spawning, blackish or dark olive above; side with reddish or dusky irregular bars or blotches on dull greenish background; anal and pelvic fins white-tipped (especially in males); front teeth of males become more enlarged than in other salmons. To 40 inches, 33 pounds, but usually 10-15 pounds. Range: Japan to Arctic Alaska and to San Diego.

Chum spawn in the lowermost reaches of rivers and streams. They migrate almost immediately after hatching to estuarine and ocean waters, in contrast to other salmonids, which migrate to sea after months or even years in fresh water. The species has only a single, sea-run form, and does not live in fresh water. 

              Spawning Phase

Steelhead  are ocean-going rainbow trout that, unlike other anadromous fish, can spawn more than once during their lifetime. Their range extends from Baja California to the Arctic and can grow to nearly 40 pounds, although most adults average about eight to 12 pounds. Steelhead are highly prized by both commercial and recreational fishermen.

              Spawning Phase

Identification: Black spots on back and on upper part of caudal fin. Gums white at base of teeth. In sea metallic blue above; Silvery below. At spawning, males are dusky green on upper back and head, bright red on side, often blackish below; females bronze to pinkish red on side. To 38 inches and 31 pounds, but usually six to12 pounds. Range: Korea and Japan to Arctic Alaska and south to Baja. Rare in fresh water south of Santa Cruz.

Coho spend approximately the first half of their life cycle rearing in streams and small freshwater tributaries. The remainder of the life cycle is spent foraging in estuarine and marine waters of the Pacific Ocean prior to returning to their stream of origin to spawn and die. Most adults are three-year-old fish, however, some precocious males and occasionally females, known respectively and jacks and jennies, return as two-year-olds. 

              Spawning Phase

Identification: Fine lack specks but no Black spots on back or caudal fin. 20 to 40 gill rakers and rudiments on first arch. In sea metallic blue- green above, silvery below. At spawning, males have a green head, Bright red body, yellowish-green caudal fin, white lower jaw; females similar to males, but have green or yellow blotches in some populations. To 33 inches, 15 pounds. But usually 5 to 8 pounds. Range: Northern Japan to Bering Sea and south to Los Angeles. Rare in streams south of the Columbia River system.

Sockeye is one of the most complex of any Pacific salmon species because of its variable freshwater residency (one to three years in fresh water), and because the species has several different forms: fish that go to the ocean and back, fish that remain in fresh water, and fish that do both. Sockeye is the only Pacific salmon that depends on lakes as spawning and nursery areas. 

              Spawning Phase

Identification: Large black, mostly oval spots on all of caudal fin and upper body. In sea metallic blue or bluish green above; silvery below. At spawning, males develop a humped back and a hooked upper jaw; back, side, and caudal fin usually reddish to yellowish. Females have no hump; jaw not markedly hooked, olive-green on side. Young lack parr marks. To 2 ½ feet, 12 pounds, but usually 3 to 5 pounds. Range: Japan to the Arctic Ocean and south to northern California; occasionally strays as far south as La Jolla in southern California.

Along the West Coast, pink salmon occur as far south as southern Puget Sound and on the Olympic Peninsula along the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Pink salmon spawn in both large and small river systems in the late summer and fall, generally in shallow pools and riffles. Upon emerging from the gravel, juvenile pink salmon migrate rapidly downstream, then rear and forage in estuaries and marine habitats until returning to spawn in their natal streams. Almost all pink salmon are two years of age at maturity, resulting in a rigid age structure with two separate, and often distinctive, broodlines.